Pelosi plots to retake House

When Democrats in the House speculate about their prospects of winning back the majority in November, the discussion is inevitably followed up by a question on everyone’s mind: What is Nancy going to do?

Since relinquishing the speaker’s gavel 18 months ago, Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi hasn’t spent any time wallowing in the loss. Many thought she’d stoically step aside — as had her predecessors — after her party suffered historic loses. Instead, she has ricocheted across the country raising nearly $60 million in a frenetic effort to get that gavel back.

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But what if the Democrats come up short? Does Pelosi stick around for another two years in the wilderness under a Republican majority? In a wide-ranging interview with POLITICO Live this week, the democratic leader steadfastly refused to answer any questions about her future.

“I wouldn’t assume anything,” she said. “I would just assume that Democrats would win, and we would stop the obstruction of the president’s agenda. I think it’s fair to say that most people don’t have the faintest idea about leadership races in the Congress. They know about the president. They know that his agenda has been obstructed.

“No, it isn’t about me,” she added when pressed. “It’s about what the Democrat — it’s about the direction of our country. I’m flattered that you think so much attention should be focused on me. “

Those who know her best say she’s not going anywhere. This is her 25th anniversary in Congress, and she has shown no interest in slowing down. Pelosi remains popular within her caucus, admired for her relentless energy. She has raised more than $300 million for the party and House candidates over the years. She would no doubt be reelected to the leadership if she chose to run. But what concerns some Democrats is that the top three Democratic leaders in the house are older than 70, and there are a number of ambitious younger leaders — such as Chris Van Hollen, Steve Israel, Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Xavier Becerra — who have no path for advancement.